Process Digitalization in Dental Practices - Status Quo and Directions for the German Health Care System

Process digitalization in health care systems can help to increase treatment quality and foster cost-efficiency at the same time. Several studies have already shown how digitalization can change and automate processes, but do not address the specific needs of dentists. This paper investigates the status quo and the possibilities of process digitalization for dental practices and their interfaces. Based on the assessment of 101 participants of an empirical study and semi-structured interviews with four dentists and four professionals of statutory health insurance we provide insights into the current situation. The analysis reveals that most organizations are in an early stage of digital transformation but are actively working on enhancing the digitalization of their processes. To meet this need, our results deliver a detailed description of prevailing challenges and starting points for process digitalization and optimization in the field of dentistry.